there. light jacket is needed with temperatures in the low 60s this afternoon. thenton we are dropping into the 20s and 30s. storm system yesterday with the clouds a couple of sprinkles. it morning it is down in the carolinas, pulling away so we are left with clear to partly cloudy skies. culpepper still 59 degrees 53 in dc. ton we are dipping into the 0z and 30s. right now a freeze watch for the immediate metro, freeze warnings up along i-70 north along i-80 west. right now at 6:00 a.m., it is monika samtani with timesaver traffic. things are okay outside. we got the volume for early monday morning. the beltway is incident free around town. northbound at beacon hill road

there is an accident. clean up continues there be aware of that. 95 slow traffic, let's look outside here in virginia on the northbound side of 95 and 395. you have just that bit of volume heading up into springfield. 395 looks fine actually at duke street heading into the 14th street bridge. here's what it looks like on 270 southbound. still running well although a little bit slow out of frederick. as you are planning to head to the outer loop no problems here 270. coming up in my next report, we'll go back into virginia at 6:11. back to you guys. >> in just a few hours the supreme court takes up one of the biggest case handled in years. delia gonzalez is live outside

the supreme court with a preview. >> good morning andrea. we are live outside the supreme court with number ten in line, tell me why you are here. >> first i love the process where i talked about the cases. primarily because this is an incredible issue for everybody. i have a father who passed away a year and a half ago, from cancer, in part because he didn't have healthcare and he wasn't able to find out about it in time to save his life. it is impairtive. >> you are here for day number two. >> yes for the individual mandate too. >> tickets will be delivered at 7:30 or 8:00 this morning. . the session begins promptly

at 10:00 a.m. about 15 minutes ago you heard from the group families usa which supports the healthcare law. now i'm joined by the vice president of policy for the group americans for prosperity. thanks so much for coming in this morning. one of the major issues before the supreme court is this mandate about individuals, forcing them to buy healthcare. some say this mandate is unconstitutional. what do you say? >> i think that's right. this is the center of the law. president obama campaigned very vigorously against the mandate. he got into office and basically cut a deal with the insurance companies. they'll accept all deals. the government has never before forced people to buy a product. there is no constitutional basis for them to do so and i hope that is what the court will rule. >> what about the opt out

product? does that somehow make it more constitutional in your mind if you have a financial hardship? >> the scope of the exception is very, very limited. i would not count on that. constitutionally, that is not really relevant. the question here is what power in the united states constitution allows them to force everyone to purchase the product. they are actually regulating inaction, regular lighting people for not buying something rather than engaging in commerce and i think that is the distinction the court will find. >> for argument's sake, let's say the mandate falls before the supreme court, they rule this is unconstitutional. what happens in your opinion looking on you in a couple of days months possibly years? >> a couple of days is going to be critical. on wednesday the supreme court is going to listen to arguments

on the so-called implied severability. it will be up to the court's discretion to believe as i do that the individual mandate is unconstitutional. they could strike down as little as justify the mandate or the entire law. i would suggest they need to strike down more rather than less. we could have a death spiral in private health insurance. ultimately at the end of the day, what would you lake to see happen before the supreme court? >> i would like to see the supreme court strike down the entire law. to get this fantastic finish lynn. they ignored scott brown's historic election in massachusetts. do help reform the right way in public on tv. >> thanks for coming in.

for the americans with prosperity. thank you. stay with 9news now for continuing coverage so bruce will be inside the supreme court today to hear the arguments. our partners at cbs news will have every angle covered, remember you can follow the cake on the go. andrea? >> it is 6:06. president obama is in south korea this morning. he will meet today with chinese president to talk about north korea's ambitions. >> president obama gave this message to the north. >> this is the choice before you. this is the decision that you must make. today we say have the courage to pursue peace and give a better

life to the people of north korea. the president said the use will hold back food aid if north korea continues plans to launch a long range missile. a man accused of killing his estranged wife at a fast food restaurant is expected to enter a guilty plea today. the suspect is 52-year-old daniel burke. the shooting happened in february 2011 at the time police called it a domestic incident. one man is in custody, another hospital lized after a brutal stabbing in northwest dthis. c-- dc. the victim was stabbed in the neck and gut. we do not have an update on his condition at this time. police are searching for a motive.

the district's only rescue boat for large scale emergencies may not be up to the test. the washington examiner reports john hglenn jr. has been poorly maintained and could leave the region vulnerable to a terrorist attack by water. a report obtained by the examiner suggests the fire and emergency service department apply for federal funding to have the vessel replaced. >> our time is 6:08. in four minutes the latest on the trayvon martin case. there will be a town hall to talk about the murder of a 17-year-old. well the rain is gone but so are the warm temperatures. howard says we are going to be in the 50s today, your weather first is here on 9news now.

wusa9 has teamed up with the washington regional transplant community to bring you the stories of those whose lives have been touched by an organ or eye tissue donation. >> we really didn't know that you have 100,000 people on a waiting list. we didn't know the wait she was up against. but when you think there are millions of people in this world, so if you have everyone sign up to be an organ donor, we would have way more than enough people. to actually be able to give a transplant. >> registering to be a donor is easy. register whenever you obtain or renew your driver's license or register online at be a donor.org.

well the sun is back today but so is a chilly wind. winds at times gusting toward 30 miles per hour as temperatures struggle to get up in the lower 60s. >> northbound side of i-95, trying to get up from thornton

into springfield. an accident was moved to the shoulder but delays getting by. coming up in my next report, i'll update you on the situation in the next few minutes. there will be a town hall meeting tonight on the shooting death of 17-year-old trayvon martin in sanford florida. >> rick has more from florida. >> reporter: ray solemn vigil sunday night as the sanford, florida community remembered a teen gunned down one month ago. earlier sunday best was replaced with hooded sweats as worshipers honored trayvon martin. he was wearing a hoodie when he was killed in sanford. neighborhood watch volunteer george zimmerman shot martin, claiming self-defense.

but several aren't buying it, including the reverend jesse jackson. >> now we find him shot in the back of the head. the man who killed him is still walking the streets free. >> reporter: the case is drawing nationwide attention and heated debate over when this was an act of self-defense or a racially motivated murder. >> race is always part of this conversation. >> reporter: trayvon martin's family will speak tonight during a sanford town hall meeting. >> we appreciate all the support. it means a lot to us. this really hits home. >> reporter: i'm rick vincent for 9news now. the new black panther party is offering a $10,000 bounty on george zimmerman. zimmerman has gone into hiding

to on protect himself. many wore black hoodies like the one martin was wearing when he was killed. they held skittals and bottles ofized tea. that is also what martin was caringry -- carrying at the time of his death. the wife of robert bales says the charges against her husband are quote unbelievable. the army staff sergeant is accused of killing 17 afghan civilians. his wife tells nbc her husband is brave and courageous and joined the army after the 9/11 attacks. a powerful earthquake but no death thes or major damage here. a quake hit the central part of the country thursday night. 525 people were killed. these elementary students from iowa will be at the white house today, they are going to help the first lady plan her

vegetable garden. >> wait until you hear howard's forecast, you won't believe it after your forecast from last week. >> we have a freeze watch for the metro and freeze warnings have already been raised. north of the i-70 and i 81 corridors out to the west. cover-up the plants in the ground, they could be in trouble tonight with lows in the 20s and 30s. here's a look at the freeze watch and warnings. the darker blue locally, that is the freeze warning. that goes into effect really at 3:00 a.m. take your precautions before 3:00 a.m. bus stop forecast, partly to mostly sunny, the sun comes up.

a good deal of sunshine today. temperatures will struggle today. low 60s for highs with a 60-degree reading. a brisk day ahead, but a bright one nevertheless. still in the upper 50s well to our south in washington this morning. generally clear skies, 59 degrees on our michael and son weather camera. dew points in upper 40s and winds at 8. the storm system that brought clouds and showers yesterday. pulling away behind it, the winds are going to start to pick up out of the north and northwest. on our futurecast, we are not going to see much in the way of weather. keep us in the 50s tomorrow and then our next weather maker a front is going to come this way. here it is as we get into

wednesday. we should warm up ahead of it. the forecast today 61. tonight 20s and 30s, winds could gust 30 miles per hour today. tomorrow in the upper 50s. a degree or two below average. wednesday a company of showers possible, back into the 60s thursday and friday. monika samtani is here with a look at timesaver traffic i can't good morning, everybody. you are not going to like this. on the northbound side in springfield, the accident was in the right lane. it was moved to the right shoulder but it is pretty solid now trying to get up into springfield and on to 356789 look at the springfield parkway, we'll go a little further north on to 35 and here is a better

shot. let's go back over to the maps this time to 66 on the inbound side. you have the slow traffic heading out of manassas into centerville. let's take a live look out of maryland, you have your initial slow traffic as you leave frederick. the lanes are open past father hurly boulevard. before i go, i have a commuter alert. watch out for the road crews working on the intercounty connector today. they will be out there doing bridge work weeks after the new toll road opened. we learned four overpasses had cracked and crews will feed to install new steel rods to make sure the bridges last another 50 to 75 years. so expect to see crews working on the shoulder for the next

two months or so. work will begin this spring to extend another mile east to meet route 1. you know what guys? the volumes are light enough that i don't think it is going to affect traffic. >> it's been open how long? now we are worrying about the thing lasting 50 to 75 years. we'll keep you posted. the time right now is 61:00. time for another check for the question of the morning. the average adult, american, does it four times a day, check their e-mail, start their car or drink coffee? >> facebook friend singia worked this out. she posts i'm going with b, start the car. once in the morning to get to work out to lunch, back from lunch and back home. >> find out if you are correct coming up at 6:54.

welcome back. i'm meteorologist howard bernstein. jacket weather out there. we are down into the 50s and are only going to make the low 60s this afternoon. with winds at times that could gust to 30 miles per hour. the 3:00 temperature of 61 could be some freezing temperatureston, get your plants inside, we'll talk more at 6:30. right now andrea and jess. >> thank you howard. tonight is a big one for the caps as they host the sabres. >> the caps have more wins, which means if the season ended today they would make the playoffs. >> last night the caps hosted the minnesota wild. dc goes home the winner 3-0. for the first time in two and a half years, tiger woods is a winner on the pga tour. he won the arnold palmer

invitation. tiger hasn't won on the pga tour since the scandal involving his personal life in 2009. and then there were four. the ncaa men's basketball tournament is down to the final four and the big dance shifts to new orleans. semifinals are saturday. kentucky takes on louisville. that game tips off just after 6:00. then ohio state faces kansas and you can catch all the action saturday right here on channel 9. the lady terrapins are heading to the elite 8. maryland took on texas a & m sunday. lauren scored 21 points. the lady terrapins beat the denning champions 81-74. maryland takes on notre dame to him night the wiz wards -- tomorrow night. the wizards beat the celtics,.

>> our time is coming up on 6:25. ahead, learn why your tap water might be tasting funny today. >> wasting money sitting in traffic. >> and monica has a quick look at who is sitting in traffic now. >> a lot of people, guys, here's what it looks like trying to get into springfield. the culprit was an accident now on the shoulder. a tow truck has arrived. you are watching 9news now. stay with us. if blares p --

good morning and welcome back. it is 62:00. this is always the place to get your weather first. this is a live look at one of the best looking monuments in our area, the jefferson memorial. it will be busy today with the people visiting the tidal basin and the cherry blossoms. thank you for starting your day with us. i'm jessica doyle. >> and i'm andrea roane. mike haiduk will be back tomorrow the soaking rains didn't take all the blossoms off the trees. >> kind of a dreary start to the weekend not too bad yesterday afternoon for some. the sun is shining brightly.

here's a look at the day planner. flags coming up here and there we'll be in the upper 50s by noon, 60ish by 5:00. thanks to the winds which could be gusting at around 30 miles per hour. you'll know ties the clouds sitting but the showers now down to the carolinas. culpepper 61 and in the 0z a sign of ta cooler air just to the north and west. ton a freeze warning up west. a freeze watch in the immediate metro. that will be changing this afternoon either to an advisory or something. it is now 63:00, we go to monika samtani. >> reporter: it doesn't look so good on the northbound side i have 95. i'm going to start off with a live look from sky 9. it is jammed, looks like this heading up into springfield.

the culprit was an accident on the northbound side. a tow truck has arrived on the scene along the right side of the road, but that is enough to cause this delay on the northbound side. we'll take you to a map so i can show you exactly where the accident is. right here before you get to the beltway. again the right side of the road is affected. watch out for that slow ride. we'll go to our camera. things look fine here at duke street but not as slow as it could have been. i'll update you on that situation in a few minutes. back -- to you again andrea. when voters in maryland, dc and wisconsin go to the polls. >> things are getting heated on the campaign trail. charlie rose joins us live from new york with a story you'll

only see on cbs this morning. good morning charlie. >> and jessica. we'll have rick santorum getting sangria a reporter who questioned him about santorum's latest attack on mitt romney. >> quit distorting our words. come on man, what are you doing? >> you'll hear that entire exchange and talk to the reporter who got santorum so up is he. >> we'll be watching that, thank you. of course you will be watching and giving us a preview of what happenslier on at the supreme court and. >> indeed. it is a fascinating three days. >> it sure will be. at 6:39 we go to a story happening today. the supreme court begins arguments over prem's healthcare reform law. is a huge case getting world wide attention. delia gonzalez is live with

more. >> reporter: good morning jess and andrea, we are live with 75 folks who have been in line here. in the rain they say they have been here waiting to get a seat inside. there are just a few selected public coo seats inside the courthouse. the court has give videoed the issues, today's question a pretty basic one. should the court take up the issue in the first place? that is because the law really done take effect until 2014. states, led by florida, are challenging the law and whether the mandate is legal. >> what then us to do is implement this loss parly, make changes and over 50 million

seniors are getting over $600 drug release. you have women now treated quollly. preventive care like mammography in place. >> now back here live outside the supreme court and taking another live look at that line a lot of folks in line as i said. about 75 or so. the line with the daylight coming you can see wrapped around the block. there will be lots of folks inching to get inside. the court session is likely to come in june. and stay with 9news now for continuing coverage of this huge case. bruce will be inside the supreme court later today. he will hear the arguments. cbs this morning will have a preview at the top of the hour.

just visit wusa9.com on your computer or on your smartphone. former vice president dick cheney is recovering from heart transplant surgery this morning. doctors in falls church performed the transplan tation saturday. don't be shocked if your water tastes or smells a little funky for the next few days. local authorities in dc, arlington county and falls church are disinfecting the water system. for the next few days the water will be treated. running the tap can reduce the funny taste and odor. get ready for more speed and red light cameras in the district. $30 million in new revenue is collected by those cameras.

as a one through, we spend more on transportation than we do on food and healthcare. that is according to our new report from the treasury department. the report finds every year americans waste 1.9 billion gallons of grass lean just stuck in traffic. where gas prices are now that adds up to $7.4 billion wasted. here's a look at gas prices it morning. in the dc metro area regular grade gas averages $3.99. according to our fuel gauge report we are closing in on the record of $4.10 set in july of 2008. nationwide gas prices average $3.93 a gallon.

one thing you won't be spending your money on, plastic bags in prince george's county. 9 plastic bag fee there is dead. opponents said they within convinced the tax would help the environment. more and more of us, spending our time on pinterest. it has become the fastest growing website ever. in february it drove more people to retail sites than twitter youtube and google combined. cap city brewing has rolled out its annual cherry blossom ale. a bar tender -- a bar tender we

spoke with calls it very refreshal. ahead. tackling a problem of distracted driving. >> we are all guilty of talking on the phone while behind the wheel. in nine minutes we'll talk with the chairwoman trying out how the feds are keeping us safe. highs around 60. howard has a look ahead to the entire work week forecast when 9news now returns. some places i go really aggravate my allergies.

so i get claritin clear. this is all bayberry. bayberry pollen. very allergenic. non-drowsy claritin relieves my worst symptoms only claritin is proven to keep me as alert and focused as someone without allergies. live claritin clear. warm. northbound side of i-95, absolutely jammed, basically coming up from woodbridge. continuous into springfield, we have an accident here on a sky 9 camera northbound at the springfield parkway. it was a two car accident, no serious injuries involved. but it took awhile to clear it up on the right side and that is the cause of your delay.

just plan for an alternate route because this is going to take some time to get through on the northbound side. let's go back over to the maps. if you are planning to head over to metro mark or v r e, a good good idea. trains are live over into maryland, southbound side of 270. overall delays heading in from frederick to urbana, traffic moving well. coming up in my next report, i'll update you on the situation in virginia at 6:58. back to you guys. howard is here with our forecast and again, forget the 80s of last week. we are talking about freezing temperatures tonight. >> that would be tonight into tuesday morning. if you have tender plants outside, bring them in if you have already planted them, it is too early, you have to wait until like mother's day to be sure. but you have got to cover them up. >> it is still march, come on,

you shouldn't be surprised by this. the metro is still under the freeze watch with a freeze warning north and west. >> are we done with snow? >> there may be some flurries. but this is still so early in the season. here in washington that is freeze watch. we are going to get an advisory or maybe even a freeze warning closer. the bus stop forecast, we have clear to partly cloudy skies. 45 and the coldest series. today the winds may top out gusting toward 30 miles per hour. look the at these sustained winds. 19. with highs in the lower 60s. wind chill may be in the 20s tomorrow morning. had a few clouds and showers yesterday afternoon and tonight, that is all pulled away from us

leaving us down to 49 in college park. 55 manassas. alexandria 52 and baden 49. gorgeous sky this morning with the u.s. capital. the due.dropping. the chill with the northwestern winds, the winds could gust to 30 miles per hour. ton the winds will drop our temperatures into the 20s compo 30s. it will keep us cool tomorrow. highs tuesday mid to upper 50s. that is actually slightly below average to just a few degrees. ahead of it southwesterly wind. temperatures back above the 70-degree mark. temperatures today into the low 60s. tonight 20s and 30s.

tomorrow 58. wednesday warmer, 73. but there could be a shower or two, maybe even a rumble of thunder. friday 62. as we head toward saturday and sunday, upper 60s and showers late friday and then again into saturday and sunday morning. distracted driving is a nationwide problem. to tell us what the federal government is doing to stop it, we are joined by debra hers man, the chairman of the national transportation safety board. thank you for being here with us. i read an article that said distracted driving has become a threat to the nation's road. tell us what the recommendation is last year to a total man on cell phones in cars. >> we have received an unprecedented response to this recommendation, actually more than any other recommendation we have issued in our 40-plus year

history. we have gotten letters and calls. mothers are writing about accidents their kids have been in. it has really struck a chord. >> it has been described as an epidemic and by you recently as an addiction, not unlike smoking. tell us what you remember about that i can't. i think people feel the need and the pressure to be connected at all times and so people in meetings, when her this out at dinner are always checking their devices. this behavior does not change when they get behind the wheel. we are seeing more crashes because of texting and because of conversations on cell phones, handheld and hands free. >> one of the statistics is that on any given day, 1.5 million

people are on cell phones in their cars. tell us about what the expert panelists will be doing and what is the goal? >> when it is seat belt use or booster seats for kids, it takes three things to change behavior. good laws, good education and good enforcement. a piece of that is the education part, talking to people and making sure they do understand. we have made recommendations about laws too. so tomorrow, we are going to be hearing about experts who are researchers, talking about the cogtive distraction. it is where your mind is, with not paying attention. we are going to talk to law enforce. campaigns and we have seen some very positive results around the country. >> sounds like it is going to be a great day. a lot of information. anyone can attend, i know. just very quickly at the last par of our interview, tell us a

little bit. this is your second term as chairman. what are the highlights of your tenure? >> i would have to say really getting our work done, getting it done in a timely manner. big accidents are really important to the public, for them to understand what happens. the washington metro accident that occurred here in 2009. we got recommendations out within weeks that have accident taking place to improve the systems around the country. >> no call no text no update is worth a human live. keep us posted on your accomplishments with the rest of the year. with that jessica, i'll toss to back to you. >> reporter: here are some of our favor discounts today. a two night get away to miami beach. google offers this as a deal you can't beat. two night get away for two

people staying at the beacon hotel in the heart of south beach. all for 299 bucks a 51 discount. are you looking to get in better shape for beach season? sears is offering a nordic track profred mill for half. living social is offering a deal from bold earth teen adventures. jury high schooler willengy a 14-24 day -- will enjoy a 14-24 day expedition boot wild. a check of the news before you go, is up next.

welcome back. at 6:54, we are looking a 53-degree reading only into the low 60s this afternoon. winds will gust get the plants inside, we are going to have freezing temperatures tonight. thank you howard. today is monday march 26th. a check on the news before you go. people are lined up outside the supreme court this morning. in just a few hours the justices will begin these days of hearings on the president's healthcare reform law. the issue? when it is constitutional for the federal government to require people to have health insurance. there will be anniversary celebration today to the vietnam veterans memorial.

a groundbreaking ceremony for the wall that was built 30 years ago today. alexander o, is on fire. he scored his ninth goal in seven games last night. with six games left the caps have a lolled on the eighth and final playoff spot. >> now it is time to reveal the question of the morning. the question one more time, the average american adult says this -- does this thing four times a day, check e-mail, starts their car or drinks coffee. we have a winner here in b, starts the car. >> that is what we were thinking. we check our e-mail several times during the morning let alone the day. stick around for one more  check on traffic and weather. stay with 9news now. labored breathing ]

[ coughing continues ] [ gasping ] [ elevator bell dings, coughing continues ]

[ female announcer ] washington can't ignore the facts. more air pollution means more childhood asthma attacks. [ coughing continues ] log on to fightingforair.org and tell washington: don't weaken clean air protections.

welcome back. we are looking a cool day today with highs in the low 60s. winds gusting to over 30 miles per hour. freezing temperatureston, get the tender plants inside and cover them up. >> reporter: the weather needs to make up its mind. i-95 the big story is an accident in springfield. it was moved to the gore area, but delays, and one quick look on the southbound side of 270. running pretty well. as you heard, more on the exclusive video of a campaign trail outburst by rick santorum and learn about a new mission to the deepest part of the earth. >> reporter: howard and i will be back in 25 minutes with a live update on traffic and weather. >> you can check us out anywhere anytime at wusa.com. have a great day. everybody.